Wise Guides Samples Women's Pro Soccer and Comes Out Converted...Sort of

(Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

My wife and I took our girls out to see the Chicago Red Stars on Sunday evening (that's women's pro soccer, for the uninitiated), and I was just settling into my seat when I heard a shout..."Andrew Buchanan! Is that you?"

My first thought was, of course, "Uh oh, what did I do?" Yes, I was with the wife and kids, but when solo or with buddies I've still been known to try to sneak into better seats or smuggle something into the stadium that isn't allowed.

"It's David Quinn with the Red Stars," the man said. "Just want to make sure your seats are okay." 

"Yea, good," I said, still a little stunned. My wife asked how I knew that guy.

I told her he must be the group ticket dude just checking up on folks, but then remembered I'd only bought six tickets and didn't go through the group office. I did buy the tickets through my daughter's soccer league, so maybe that's how he knew.

Anyway, it was an immediate sign that this wasn't Wrigley Field or any of the other pro sports stadiums in town. In those places it often seems like they almost want you to have a miserable time.

I've left games at Soldier Field and half expected an employee to be standing outside shouting, "And don't come back!"

At the Red Stars game, Mr. Quinn could later be seen leading cheers, and they deliver your tub of popcorn to your seats. My wife went to get some snacks and they just happened to be popping some new corn.

After apologizing profusely, the girl at the concession stand said she'd bring the popcorn to our seats. And she did within five minutes.
 
There was also the nice moment pictured above, when after the game one of the players, upon being told it was my daughter's fifth birthday, pulled her onto the field for a photo.

It was the final home game of the season and many of the players lingered long afterward to sign autographs and pose for pictures with fans. 

The team also held a sign thanking fans, showing yet again how far this was from the NFL or NBA.

We had arranged to have a birthday message flashed on the big screen for my daughter (for a $35 donation to charity) and were told it would go up at the 35th minute of the game.

When that moment came and went with no message, I tracked down a team employee and he was deeply concerned.

He apologized several times and said he'd look into it right away. A few minutes later another team employee came to our seats to say the message would run twice in the second half. And it did.

Shortly after that I devoured a delicious plate of nachos that was infinitely better than any nacho-type dish I've eaten at a sporting event anywhere, and I was starting to enjoy this women's soccer thing.

And the inspired Red Stars were kicking tail, going up 2-0 and then answering a late Los Angeles Sol goal with one of their own. The final: 3-1. 

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